Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

Nancy Stokes doesn’t know good sex. Whatever it may be, Nancy, a retired schoolteacher, is pretty sure she has never had it, but she is determined to finally do something about that. She even has a plan: It involves an anonymous hotel room, and a young sex worker who calls himself Leo Grande.

  • Released: 2022-06-17
  • Runtime: 97 minutes
  • Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
  • Stars: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack, Isabella Laughland, Les Mabaleka, Lennie Beare, Carina Lopes, Charlotte Ware
  • Director: Sophie Hyde
 Comments
  • malpasc-391-915380 - 23 May 2024
    A gorgeous film
    I LOVE this film. Its just beautifully written - funny, tender, occasionally sad.

    A 60-something widow of two years, who never had an orgasm throughout her 31 year marriage hires young sex worker Leo Grande to catch up on the sex life she never had during her marriage.

    Emma Thompson as Nancy plays her role perfectly, of someone who has never been fulfilled in that way sexually and how awkward she feels desiring these experiences whilst conflicted about hiring a young and handsome sex worker. Like many older people she is also insecure about her body and her looks.

    Rather than the entire film being about Leo and Nancy getting it on, we see them build up a trust, almost a friendship, with heartfelt and raw conversations in the surroundings of the hotel room Nancy has booked her appointments with Leo. In fact the vast majority of the film takes place within these walls. At the beginning it feels like the room reflects how Nancy feels - isolated, alone, closed, but it eventually becomes a space of discovery and pleasure.

    We see Nancy and Leo's time together as 4 separate bookings that Nancy had made, and in that time you see growth in both characters - Nancy accepting her body, herself, and embracing sexual pleasure, whilst Leo (this isn't his real name by the way) becomes more open to his family about his career, rather than hiding it away.

    By the end of the film it feels like both main characters have grown, especially Nancy who realises that she isn't too old to enjoy herself, and the final scene we see her get fully naked and accept her body and herself. Emma Thompson has said this was the most difficult scene for her to film, and whilst I am not a 60 something woman who has had children, I and many others can probably empathise with this, as well as how Nancy feels about her body, that we aren't as young or as thin and toned as we once were, but that all bodies, shapes and sizes can be beautiful, sexual, sexy.

    An absolute pleasure of a film from start to finish.
  • fionastaun - 18 March 2024
    NUDES TOO PRUDE.
    Seriously? How could Emma Thompson be so boring? Yet here she fails to connect with the character and dig down to the brilliant pathos of the saddest wife in Love Actually.

    I felt there was an undercurrent of trying to be "European" and honestly edgy. Never got there when it was there for the taking.

    French directors manage to clip the dialogue and action to make sex scenes sizzle. Yet here its damp sqibs and long drawn out word salads.

    The surprise is Darryn McCormack. He puts in a touching and strong multi-level performance. Hard to say that if only Emma Thompson had found more colour to match his brilliant show.

    A wilted salad.
  • ironscity-78541 - 25 August 2023
    Warning 3 actors total
    I've never seen a movie with 3 actors that holds attention so well. I don't think I've ever seen a movie with 3 actors. If you aren't into dialogues this is not the movie for you.

    Two places and 3 actors, hotel room and the hotel restaurant. That's it, nothing else. Not even an elevator scene.

    The conversations are amazing. "Issues" brought up and dealt with are funny as hell. The performances are amazing. I've never heard of this Irish boy but he's great. Someone to watch out for in the future. Emma, well what can you say about Emma? I think she gave this kid a voice and vice versa. Sort of like Walter White and Jesse. One would be useless without the other.

    Great movie if you have no expectations. Just an interesting story that might make you ask yourself how much of your life have you missed by playing by the rules.
  • agnieszkaszypula - 1 January 2023
    Brave Emma Thompson
    Wow, I didn't expect that. Slow but meaningful. Respect Emma Thompson for her bravery.

    I feel empowered after watching this movie.

    I did enjoy it, and would recommend especially for older women to remind them that everyone deserves feeling great and desired, regardless of the age or body shape. We all should once in a lifetime at least feel beautiful and wanted.

    The male actor was a surprise for me but he was very good too and pleasure to look at. I am happy to be part of the story.

    Well done. Probably not for everyone but definitely worth to watch.

    Good luck to all of you...whoever you are!
  • farshadenroute - 19 November 2022
    A lot of things we are ashamed to talk about
    You all know the story, so I jump into my review. I was a bit forced to watch this movie. I wanted to watch it, but I was also afraid to face some of my own issues. So I was like "no, I do not need any kind of emotional face-ups for the moment. I got enough on my plate". Anyway, I watched it and I'm glad I did.

    It's a brave movie with a very limited number of actors and locations. They got the most out of both, though. It was so moving to see that both very hot, young, smart, fun Leo and stressed, in overcontrol, and a-prisoner-of-her-own-chains Nancy are somehow broken.

    The first theory about why Leo is doing this job, which comes to mind, is his mommy issues. He has disappointed her mother and she pretends that Leo is dead. Therefore, he wants to keep other ladies satisfied. Their satisfaction (although sexual) kind of covers for his mother's satisfaction. I don't think it's sustainable though. His wounds will not heal that way. And it's a practical job for him since he is very hot and knows what he is doing.

    The problem with Nancy is at another level. It's something that probably a lot of women have, but only few are brave enough to talk about it. Nancy tries to find a way to heal her wound and she wants to cover for her missed youth. Buying new experiences can be a way to do that. But we shouldn't forget that in real life the number of Leos in the gigolo business is not immense. Anyway, I was moved when she said that her body disgusts her and she doesn't see any kind of sexiness in herself. With the mass media-created standards and over-expectations, it's the problem for a lot of people. And this matter is well-pointed. And, finally, that reminds us; without love and confidence in ourselves, we cannot expect them to be given to us by others.
  • benmancais - 20 October 2022
    Act three ruins feminism
    As a bottle style film, it places huge value on character and dialogue. The first two acts are wonderfully sharp and emotionally truthful, highlighting many insecurities which come as a symptom of our 21st century attitude to sex.

    However, the last two meetings become convoluted in the message of liberation that it misses the point it was originally seeming to make. Kicked out at 15, turns to sex work. 8 years later working as an escort and R. E teacher stalks him. Framing obsession as passion. Encouraging abuse no more exemplified than we she recommends him to her former student. Liberation cannot be your only message, as it will always invite exploitation.
  • gortx - 28 September 2022
    Emma Thompson shines in intimate drama
    Katy Brand's intimate drama casts Emma Thompson as a lonely woman (Nancy) of a certain age who hires a much younger sex worker named Leo (Daryl McCormack) to explore her sensual needs. Brand (who curiously takes a writing credit as "created by") has fashioned the project as almost a filmed play in four distinct acts. Virtually all of the activity takes place in that hotel and with this couple.

    For such a compact movie to work, the actors must carry the weight. One can't imagine a performer more capable than Thompson, and she pulls it off very well even when the movie lags. McCormack has it tougher, for Leo often comes off as an idealized object. He's smart. Charming. Patient. And, doesn't quibble over financial matters or Nancy's moods. The perfect fantasy.

    Within the limitations of Brand's screenplay, Thompson and McCormack keep things interesting. Still, one can't help but feel the contrivances. There's a certain artificial air about the whole affair right from the unwieldy title onward. Stephen Renncks' music is often obtrusive layering on false notes when no accompaniment is needed whatsoever; And, why are the curtains wide open during their sexual interludes - so that Cinematographer Bryan Mason can have prettier compositions? Surely, a prim, repressed woman like Nancy would never allow this.

    Fortunately, Thompson and McCormack more than rise to the occasion. Even with the false notes - including a certain feeling of a checklist being ticked off in the final act - LEO GRANDE is touching. One does get a sense of two disparate people coming together for a brief moment in time, and each leaving feeling a bit wiser about themselves.